Jamie Smith on Tuesday said he was in talks with the Colorado Rapids’ front office about his spot with the team next season — either as a player or a coach.

The Scottish veteran — who came to Colorado in 2009 after a long spell playing for Aberdeen and Celtic among others — played in just six game last season, with one goal and one start. He’s one of the few remaining players from the 2010 MLS Cup-winning team.

“I’m not getting any younger,” said Smith, 33. “I’m still discussing with the club what happens next. I’ve got a good rapport with them. (Coaching) is possible. We’ll see how it works out.

“But when the time comes to step into (coaching) hopefully that’s an opportunity that will be available.”

1. The Crew and Rapids enter with the same number of wins and points. But Columbus seems on better footing this season. Is that fair? How’s the Crew’s run been so far? What are your early impressions? Who stands out?

Adam Jardy: The Crew is still finding out if it can live up to lofty expectations put forth by the front office. Team president and general manager Mark McCullers has said as recently as last Thursday that he thinks this team has a chance to host the MLS Cup, and technical director Brian Bliss has told me numerous times that there are no plans to upgrade or change the roster for the foreseeable future. What you see is what you get, but the problem with that is the Crew hasn’t quite lived up to those expectations just yet.

Gary Smith started strong as coach at Stevenage FC in 2012, a League One (third division) side in England. A mere three months after his firing from the Colorado Rapids, Smith led the Boros into the fifth round of the FA Cup where they drew with Tottenham and forced a second game.

Now, a little more than a year later — and three years after leading the Rapids to the MLS Cup title — Smith is again out of a job.

Stevenage fired Smith on Wednesday after a streak of 14 losses over 18 games. This week, Stevenage trounced Sheffield United 4-0 on Sunday, then fell to Bury 2-0 on Tuesday.

Smith’s sacking made waves. Karl Robinson, coach at MK Dons, said Smith’s firing was “an absolute shambles.” Dons are 12th in League One right now, three spots ahead of Stevenage.

Rapids rookie Tony Cascio celebrates his goal against Melbourne Heart in a preseason game in Hawaii.

The MLS compliance deadline for roster cuts before the season is March 1 — as in right about now. But the Rapids are nearly settled.

Don’t expect any major cuts or trades or signings in the next 31 hours, though there could be minor tweaks here and there. MLS teams reach compliance based on numbers, salary caps and a juggling act of designated slots for different tagged players (internationals, designated players etc.).

The Rapids’ roster to open the 2012 season is likely to look like the one posted below.

But please, Coach Smith, do NOT stop talking. Rapids fans know you’re a great quote, with a unique long-view perspective. Keep telling it like it is.

And after Stevenage held Hotspur to a 0-0 draw Sunday, forcing a deciding match at Tottenham’s home White Hart Lane, Smith could have plenty to say. He remains undefeated as Borough’s coach, since taking the job 25 days ago.

Columbus forward Barnardo Anor (7) and Colorado defender Drew Moor (3) go for the ball in the second half. The Colorado Rapids defeated the Columbus Crew 2-0 on August 5, 2011.

The Colorado Rapids will host the Columbus Crew in a wild card playoff match this Thursday at 8 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park as they begin their defense of the MLS Cup.

The Rapids secured the home match by virtue of a 2-1 comeback win on Saturday over Vancouver Whitecaps FC in British Columbia.

“It’s a good win for us and it secures home field in the playoffs,” midfielder Brian Mullan said Saturday after the win. “This win gives us a little confidence and means we don’t have to travel as much in the playoffs.”